Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in a 37-Week Pregnant Patient: An Unusual Clinical Presentation

Abstract Background Aortic dissection in pregnancy is relatively rare, but it is often fatal. The estimated incidence of aortic dissection in the general population is 2.9 per 100,000 person-years. Early recognition and treatment of aortic dissections are crucial for survival. Whereas the majority o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of emergency medicine 2017-04, Vol.52 (4), p.565-568
Main Authors: Lee, Sun Hwa, MD, Ryu, Seokyong, MD, PhD, Choi, Seoung Won, MD, Kim, Hye Jin, MD, Kang, Tae Kyug, MD, Chan Oh, Sung, MD, Cho, Suk Jin, MD, Lee, Jae Hoon, MD, Chung, Euy Suk, MD, Kim, Myoung Hwan, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Pain - etiology
Adult
Aneurysm, Dissecting - diagnosis
Aneurysm, Dissecting - diagnostic imaging
Aneurysm, Dissecting - surgery
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic - diagnosis
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic - surgery
aortic dissection
Emergency
Emergency Service, Hospital - organization & administration
Female
Humans
Pain Perception
Point-of-Care Systems
Pregnancy
risk factor
Risk Factors
third trimester
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
Ultrasonography - methods
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Summary:Abstract Background Aortic dissection in pregnancy is relatively rare, but it is often fatal. The estimated incidence of aortic dissection in the general population is 2.9 per 100,000 person-years. Early recognition and treatment of aortic dissections are crucial for survival. Whereas the majority of patients who present with aortic dissection are older than 50 years of age and have a history of hypertension, younger patients with connective tissue disease, bicuspid aortic valves, or a family history of aortic dissection are also at increased risk for developing this condition. Case Report We report the successful diagnosis and surgical repair of an acute type A aortic dissection in a 35-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) at 37 weeks of gestation. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians should be alert to the possibility of aortic dissection in any pregnant woman who presents to the ED with unexplained chest, abdominal, or back pain, even those without risk factors for aortic dissection.
ISSN:0736-4679
2352-5029
DOI:10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.09.001